Systems, methods, and devices for ozone sanitization of continuous positive airway pressure devices

ABSTRACT

Technologies for sanitizing a medical instrument with ozone are described. In particular, systems, methods, and devices for sanitizing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device are disclosed. The systems and device include an ozone compartment, an ozone operating system and one or more ozone distribution lines that distribute ozone to a continuous positive airway pressure device. The device may further include a heater adapter unit to connect heating systems in CPAP devices while distributing ozone to sanitize the CPAP device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/441,929, filed Feb. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/142,111, filed Apr. 29, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,610,373), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/232,773, filed Jan. 14, 2014 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,358,316), which isa 371 of international application no. PCT/US12/46593, filed Jul. 13,2012, which claims priority to U.S. provisional application No.61/508,341, filed Jul. 15, 2011, the entire content of each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a device and method fordisinfecting a medical instrument with ozone, in particular theinvention relates to a device and method for disinfecting a continuouspositive airway pressure (CPAP) device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by abnormalbreathing during sleep. Pauses in breathing for people with sleep apneacan last from a few seconds to minutes during sleep, often resulting insignificant levels of sleep disturbance, which may result in daytimefatigue, impaired reaction time, vision problems, and impaired daytimecognition.

Sleep apnea is often treated with a continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) device. CPAP devices prevent reduction of oxygen levels in theblood and sleep loss by delivering a stream of pressured air through ahose to a nasal pillow or full facemask surrounding a patient's nose.The CPAP devices work by blowing air at a prescribed pressure for eachpatient, and keeping the air passage open to maintain unobstructedbreathing throughout a sleep period.

While CPAP treatment can be a highly effective treatment for sleepapnea, a major downside with CPAP treatment is non-compliance by users.Users are often reluctant to continuously use CPAP devices because thenose and face masks may be uncomfortable. In addition, maintenance ofmany CPAP devices has proved to be tiring and difficult for users, aswater vapor running through the hoses and masks of a device may causebacterial build-up and require continuous cleaning and prevention asnecessary steps to safely use a device, which may result in furthernon-compliance by users. Most manufacturers of CPAP devices recommendthat users perform daily and weekly maintenance on their machines toprevent bacteria and mold buildup. In this instance, each part of theCPAP device needs to be cleaned individually, including the mask, thehoses and the humidification portion, which is difficult and timeconsuming for users on a daily or weekly basis. Other CPAP devicecleaning methods include soaking the component parts of a CPAP device ina mixture of vinegar and water to disinfect the component parts. Becauseof the inherent nature for CPAP devices to collect bacteria and mold, anumber of other products are available to consumers to make CPAPmachines safer, including but not limited to:

Citrus II Cleaning Spray for masks and tubing, available atwww.cpapxchange.com Contour CPAP cleaning wipesCPAP tube cleaning brushes, available at www.cpapxchange.comCPAP Guardian, available at www.cpapguardian.com

Further, several patents and patent applications have been filed on CPAPdevices, improvements and the like. The patents in the field of CPAPdevices include U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,146,946, 8,051,853, 7,794,522,7,845,350, 7,676,276, 6,276,304, 7,527,603, 7,767,168, 6,752,151,6,280,633, 7,022,225, 4,787,980 and US application numbers: 20100111792,20060130834, 20040251125, 20050186108.

While some of the existing products, patents and applications describedabove refer to CPAP systems, methods and devices, there is no system,method or device shown that describes an automated disinfecting systemor method for a CPAP device, for ease of use of users and to improveuser compliance. In addition, the use of ozone to sanitize, disinfectand clean CPAP devices is a long felt need in the art as a safe and easydisinfectant system for improved compliance of a user, as described inaccordance with the present invention.

Other systems, methods, device features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, device features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ozone device connected to a CPAPdevice, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side-view of a CPAP connector unit and a hose connecting toa water reservoir, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ozone device connected to a CPAPdevice, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a water reservoir and hose with free ozone, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a CPAP connector unit and a heater adapter unitconnecting a hose to a CPAP device in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a CPAP connector unit and a heater adapterunit connecting a hose to a CPAP device in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a CPAP device with a heating element, connectedto the CPAP device with a continuous positive airway connector unit inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a CPAP device with a heating element, connectedwith a heater adapter unit in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a CPAP device with a heating elementconnected to the CPAP device with a heater adapter unit.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a CPAP mask, in accordance with a oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a CPAP mask and straps, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an ozone device 100 connected to aCPAP device 105. In this embodiment an ozone compartment 110 for housingan ozone operating system 115 is shown in the ozone device 100. Inaccordance with this embodiment, the ozone operating system 115 producesand transfers ozone to the CPAP device 105 to disinfect the CPAP device105 before or after use by a user.

In accordance with this embodiment, the ozone operating system 115 pullsin ambient air into an air pump to create ozone. The air pump maytransfer the ambient air to a corona discharge ozone generator, whichmay create about 400 mg/hr of ozone gas, which may be used to disinfecta CPAP device 105. In accordance with this embodiment, the ozone may bepumped directly into the CPAP device 105 and/or a water reservoir tank122 from the ozone compartment 110 through an ozone distribution line118 that connects to the CPAP connector unit 130, for providing ozone todisinfect the CPAP device 105. In accordance with the device shown inFIG. 1 the ozone may enter the ozone distribution line 118 when poweredby a small air pump, such as an aquarium pump, and then migrate throughthe distribution line 118, through a CPAP connector unit 130, and intothe water reservoir 122. The ozone distribution line 118 traverses intothe hose 124 and the CPAP connector unit 130 and ends with a free endimmersed in the CPAP water reservoir 122. The ozone may then be releasedinto water in the water reservoir 122, acting to disinfect and sanitizethe water reservoir 122, and may then release as free ozone from thewater in the water reservoir 122. The free ozone may then traverse intothe hose 124, which then carries the ozone into a mask compartment 116to sanitize a mask 112. Within about 20-30 minutes from the start of theozone sanitizing process described, the ozone will naturally breakdowninto oxygen O², resulting in a CPAP device 100 with an automateddisinfecting process with ozone passing through and disinfecting theCPAP water reservoir 122, the water in the reservoir, the hose 124, themask compartment 116 and the mask 112. As an additional safetyprecaution to make sure all ozone is released from the CPAP device 105before a user utilizes the CPAP device 105, an oxidizing catalyst, suchas an MgO filter, may be on the ozone device 100, such as on the backside of the mask compartment 116 to collect, breakdown and releaseremaining ozone as oxygen O².

The ozone compartment 110, in accordance with the present embodiment ofthe present invention may be any available ozonator or a like device forcreating ozone gas. Ozonators create ozone from oxygen molecules, oftenby applying ultraviolet light to the oxygen. Ozone gas is made of oxygenmolecules that have been ionized by radiation to form groups of threeoxygen atoms, O³. The ozone gas is powerful and effective for removal ofodors, impurities and dangerous pathogens, working by exchangingelectron charge with particles that ozone comes into contact with toform oxygen, O², from the unstable ozone O³, a process particularlyuseful for purifying air and water and for killing bacteria andmicroorganisms. Typically, ozone, O³, will convert back to oxygen, O²,within two hours of the start of a cycle.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a small air pump isprovided in the ozone compartment 110 to push ozone into the waterreservoir 122. An exhaust port is further provided in the maskcompartment 116 and has two main functions; the first is to draw thefree ozone up into the hose 124 from the water reservoir 122 and intothe mask 112 from the water reservoir 122. The free ozone will work todisinfect the water reservoir 122, the hose 124, and the mask 112. Afterexiting the mask 112 the free ozone then will be drawn out of the maskcompartment 116 through the exhaust port into the free atmosphere asoxygen O². Further shown in this embodiment is a user interface 111 fora user to set a sanitizing schedule on the ozone device 100 and a topcover 113 to close the ozone device 100.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a CPAP connector unit 230 attaching the ozonedistribution line 218 from an ozone device to the water reservoir 222 ofa CPAP device in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. In accordance with this embodiment the ozone distributionline 218 is shown connected through the CPAP connector unit 230, at aninety degree angle, and into the water reservoir 222. The ozone may bedistributed from the ozone distribution line 218 into the water 219. Theozone 221 may effectively sanitize the water and kill bacteria andmicroorganisms in the water 219 by oxidizing organics in the water 219.Free ozone 221 that is left after removing organics from the water 219in the water reservoir 222 may then release from the water and pass intothe hose 224 to sanitize the hose and then enter a mask compartment forsanitizing a mask. By sanitizing the ozone water reservoir 222, thewater 219, the hose 224 and the mask after each use, a user mayeffectively clean and sanitize their CPAP machines on a daily basis anduse the machine with a decreased risk of discomfort, infection orbacteria growth in their CPAP device. While the CPAP device may stillneed to be cleaned in accordance with a manufacturer's requirements, thepresent invention will assist a user to maintain a safe to use device ona regular basis and improve compliance and use of the CPAP device totreat sleep apnea. The inventors expect that the current invention willassist people with sleep apnea to easily disinfect their CPAP device anduse their machines safely in accordance with personal preferences androutine schedules.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an ozone device 300 and a CPAP device 305in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Inaccordance with this embodiment, an ozone operating system 315 may makeozone, which may enter the water 319 in the water reservoir 322 throughthe distribution line 318 and the CPAP connector unit 330. In accordancewith this embodiment ozone enters the hose 324 as free ozone from thewater reservoir 322, and the hose 324 carries the ozone gas to sanitizethe mask 312 in the mask compartment 316. In accordance with thisembodiment the ozone disinfects and sanitizes the entire CPAP device 305for a user prior to use, including the water reservoir 322, the water319, the hose 324, the mask 312 and the mask compartment 316. Inaccordance with this embodiment, the ozone may convert back to a stableform of oxygen after entering the mask compartment 316, making a user'sCPAP device 305 easily disinfected and ready to use. In accordance withthis embodiment an MgO exhaust port may be provided in the maskcompartment 316 to collect, breakdown and release remaining ozone to theatmosphere, as an additional safety measure to make sure all ozone andfree ozone is removed from the ozone device 300 prior to use. Furthershown in this embodiment is a user interface 311 for a user to set asanitizing schedule on the ozone device 300 and a top cover 313 to closethe ozone device 300.

FIG. 4 shows a top view an ozone device 400 and a CPAP device 405 withthe top covers removed for viewing the inner parts of the ozone device400 and the CPAP device 405. In this embodiment, free ozone 421 isreleased from the water 419 and traverses into the hose 424. Inaccordance with the embodiment shown, the free ozone 421 will disinfectthe water 419 and the hose 424. The free ozone 421 may continue totraverse from the hose 424 to the mask compartment 416 to furthersanitize a mask 412, before exiting the ozone device 400 through anexhaust port. Further shown in this embodiment is a control panel 411for a user to set ozone sanitizing schedules in accordance with a user'spreferences.

In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 5, aheater adapter unit 552 is connected to a CPAP connector unit 530 toconnect a heating element 550 on a hose 524 to a heating elementreceptors 554 on a CPAP device 505. The heating element 550 may be usedto heat a hose 524, to prevent condensation of water vapor as it passesthrough the hose 524. While heating elements 550 are commonly used onCPAP devices 505, in order to practice the present invention ofproviding ozone to the CPAP device 505 through an ozone distributionline 518 for sanitizing a CPAP device 505, a heating adapter unit 552may be required to attach the CPAP connector unit 530 to a CPAP device505 with heating systems. One method of heating the hose 524 includesbut is not limited to passing a low voltage electric current through aresistive conductor such as copper or aluminum conductor wires 556,which may be woven along the length of a hose 524 and effectively heatthe hose 524, as shown in FIG. 5. Another method of heating the hose 524may include using a hose sleeve of Neoprene or fleece to cover theexterior of the hose 524, which may insulate the hose from external coldair. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with copper conductor wires 556 wovenaround the hose 524 for heating the hose 524. In this embodiment theheating element 550 contains copper conductor wires which connects tocopper receptors in the heating element receptor 554, generatingelectric heat to copper conductor wires 556 when the CPAP device 505 isin an on position. In this embodiment a CPAP connector unit 530 is shownfor connecting an ozone device in accordance with the present inventionto a CPAP device 505 to disinfect the CPAP device between uses. Theheater adapter unit 552 is connected to the CPAP connector unit 530 forattaching the heating element 550 to the heating element receptor 554,as shown. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention,systems, methods and devices to provide ozone to sanitize a CPAP device505, hose 524 and water reservoir may be used in conjunction withheating elements for heating the hose 524. In this embodiment, the CPAPconnector unit 530 provides for the flow of ozone into an ozonedistribution line 518 into a water reservoir, and then into the hose 524from the water reservoir, while the heater adapter unit 552 connects thecopper wires in the heating element 550 to the corresponding contacts inthe heating element receptors 554 of the CPAP device 505.

FIG. 5A shows in detail the connection of the copper wires in theheating elements 550 through the heating adapter unit 552 to the heaterelement receptors 554 on the CPAP device 505 in accordance with theembodiment described with reference to FIG. 5. In accordance with theembodiment shown, the heating adapter unit 552 is attached below theCPAP connector unit 530 and copper wires 556 are shown woven around thehose 524.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 6 a CPAP connector unit 630 for connecting aheating element 650 heating system for heating a hose 624 of a CPAPdevice with a heating element 650 is shown. In this embodiment, cold airin a room may cause condensation of water vapor in the hose 624 of theCPAP device and results in bacterial growth in the hose and in a facialmask. Heating the hose 624 helps prevent condensation of water vapor inthe hose 624. In accordance with this embodiment, a heating element 650is formed at the end of the hose 624, where the hose 624 connects to aCPAP device. In this embodiment, a CPAP connector unit 630 is shownconnecting the heating element 650 to the CPAP device 605 so that ozonemay be further added to the CPAP device through the ozone distributionline in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment theheating element 650 may work by passing a low voltage electric currentthrough a resistive conductor which may be woven along the length of thehose effectively heating the hose.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 7 a heating system for heating a hose 724 with aheating adapter unit 752 connected to a CPAP connector unit 730 toprovide ozone to a CPAP device 705 with heating systems embedded thereinis shown. In this embodiment, the heating receptors 754 are locatedadjacent to a hose on a CPAP device 705 and may contain copper wires totransfer electric power from the heating element 750, attached to thehose 724. In accordance with this embodiment, the heating adapter unit752 fits over the CPAP hose entry 758 and the heating receptors 754 onthe CPAP device 705 so that the ozone technology in accordance with thepresent invention may be connected through the ozone distribution line718 to the CPAP device 705, while the heating elements 750 already inplace on the CPAP device 705 may still be connected through the heatingadapter unit 752 to heat the hose 724. In accordance with thisembodiment, cold air in a room may cause condensation of water vapor inthe hose 724 of the CPAP device and result in bacterial growth in thehose and a facial mask. Heating the hose 724 helps prevent condensationof water vapor in the hose 724, while administering ozone to the CPAPreservoir and hose in accordance with the present embodimentautomatically disinfects the CPAP machine and prevents bacterial andmold build-up.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the present invention with the ozonedevice 800 connected to a CPAP device 805 with heating systems embeddedin the CPAP device 805. In accordance with this embodiment, ozone ispumped from the ozone device 800 through an ozone distribution line 818to the CPAP connector unit 830 to be released into the water reservoir822. In this embodiment, a heating element 850 is provided on the hose824 to connect to heating element receptors 854 on the CPAP device 805.In accordance with the embodiment shown, a heater adapter unit 852 isconnected to the CPAP connector unit 830 to attach the heating element850 to the heating element receptors 854. In accordance with thisembodiment, the heating system may work to heat the hose 824 to preventcondensation of water during operation by heating copper wires 856surrounding the hose. In addition, the ozone operating system inaccordance with the present embodiment may sanitize the water reservoir822, the hose 824, the mask 812 and the mask chamber 816 as shown.

In accordance with the embodiments shown, the ozone device will have abuilt-in timer so that a user can set the time to start the ozonedisinfecting process at fixed time intervals. Typically, an ozone cycleis recommended at the end of each CPAP device use for best results for aconsumer. The ozone device in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present invention will have a delayed start button, so that the CPAPdevice will not start until a fixed time has passed since the last ozonedisinfecting process. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a onehour time period is implemented to prevent start of a CPAP device untilone hour has passed from an ozone disinfecting process in accordancewith one or more of the embodiments shown. In accordance with otherembodiments a two-hour time period is implemented before the CPAP devicecan be used after an ozone disinfecting process in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present invention.

With reference to one or more embodiments shown, an ozone device isdescribed including an ozone compartment, an ozone operating system, andone or more ozone distribution lines to distribute ozone through a CPAPdevice. A CPAP ozone air pump distributes ozone to the ozonedistribution lines in one or more embodiments of the present invention.The ozone will migrate from the ozone distribution lines into the waterreservoir of the CPAP device. The ozone will oxidize organic material inthe water, thereby disinfecting water in the water reservoir. Remainingozone will release as free ozone from the water reservoir and migrate asa gas into the attached hose, mask and mask compartment. An exhaust portin the mask compartment helps migrate free ozone into the hose, mask andmask compartment, and releases remaining ozone into the atmosphere as O²oxygen from the mask compartment. The ozone O³ will disinfect the waterreservoir, the hose, the mask and the mask compartment while the ozonemigrates through the CPAP device in accordance with the embodiments ofthe present invention.

In addition to the device described and shown in the embodiments of thepresent invention, methods of disinfecting a CPAP device are furtherdisclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for disinfectinga continuous positive airway pressure may include the steps of producingozone in an ozone device with an ozone operating system, releasing ozoneinto a continuous positive airway pressure device; and, migrating ozonethrough a continuous positive airway pressure device. In yet anotherembodiment, a method of disinfecting a CPAP device with an ozone deviceby releasing ozone into a CPAP connector unit, distributing ozone into awater reservoir, migrating free ozone from the water reservoir to ahose, migrating the free ozone into a mask in a mask compartment; and,removing the ozone from the CPAP device through an exhaust port, isdescribed. The method disclosed further includes a step of delaying thestart of a CPAP treatment for a fixed period of time from the last ozonedisinfecting process for the safety of the consumers. The step ofdelaying the start time may range from about 30 minutes to 5 hours,depending on the embodiment implemented. In yet other embodiments thestep of delaying the start time may range from about 5 hours to 10hours. In addition the step of sensing remaining ozone in a CPAP deviceis an added step in one or more embodiments of the present invention fora consumer's safety prior to use. In addition, in one or moreembodiments of the present invention, adding a safety switch in the maskcompartment prevents starts of an ozone sanitizing process until themask is returned by a user to the mask compartment. The safety switch isan additional precaution to prevent use of a CPAP device during an ozonedisinfecting process.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9,an improved CPAP face mask 960 and straps 962 are provided to maximizecomfort of a patient during a CPAP procedure. In accordance with theembodiment, the straps 962 are cut on a bias to maintain elasticity andfluidity of the straps 962 as the strap rests along a user's head andface during a CPAP procedure.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention, where a sideview of a facemask straps 1062 are provided. In accordance with thisembodiment, the straps 1062 are cut on a bias cut, to maximize theelastic comfort of the straps 1062 for a patient. In accordance withthis embodiment, the straps 1062 is made of one or more material(s) thatare lightweight, breathable, washable and disposable, for ease of use bya user.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: an ozone device comprisingan ozone operating system and an ozone distribution line; a connectorunit configured to fluidly couple the ozone device to a continuouspositive airway pressure (CPAP) device, the connector unit comprising: afirst end configured to couple to a reservoir of said CPAP device; asecond end configured to couple to a hose of said CPAP device; a firstpassageway extending between the first end and the second end of theconnector unit, the first passageway defined at least in part by a wallof said connector unit; and a second passageway, wherein the secondpassageway: extends through the wall of said connector unit; is disposedat least partially within the first passageway; and comprises a portconfigured to fluidly couple to the ozone distribution line.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the connector unit iscoupled to the reservoir; the second end of the connector unit iscoupled to the hose; the port is fluidly coupled to the ozonedistribution line; and in operation, ozone gas generated by said ozonedevice flows from said ozone operating system, through said ozonedistribution line, into said second passageway via said port, and intosaid reservoir.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second passagewaybends within the first passageway.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein:the first end comprises a first opening; the second end comprises asecond opening; and the first opening is oriented transverse to thesecond opening.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the first endcomprises a first opening; the second end comprises a second opening;the port comprises a third opening; and the third opening is positionedsubstantially opposite the first opening.
 6. The system of claim 2,wherein the port comprises a barb, and at least a portion of said ozonedistribution line is disposed around said barb to couple to ozonedistribution line to the port.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein thefirst passageway and the second passageway are in fluid communicationwith the reservoir.
 8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a maskconnected to a distal end of the hose of said CPAP device.
 9. The systemof claim 8, further comprising gas-tight mask compartment configured tocontain said mask.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said maskcompartment further comprises an exhaust port.
 11. A connector unit,comprising: a first end configured to couple to a reservoir of acontinuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device; a second endconfigured to couple to a hose of said CPAP device; a first passagewayextending between the first end and the second end, the first passagewaydefined at least in part by a wall of said connector unit; and a secondpassageway, wherein the second passageway: extends through the wall ofsaid connector unit; is at least partially disposed within the firstpassageway; and comprises a port that is configured to couple to asource of ozone gas.
 12. The connector unit of claim 10, wherein thesecond passageway bends within the first passageway.
 13. The connectorunit of claim 10, wherein: the first end comprises a first opening; thesecond end comprises a second opening; and the first opening is orientedtransverse to the second opening.
 14. The connector unit of claim 10,wherein: the first end comprises a first opening; the second endcomprises a second opening; the port comprises a third opening; and thethird opening is positioned substantially opposite the first opening.15. The connector unit of claim 10, wherein the port comprises a barbconfigured to couple to a distribution line.